Basilica di S. Marco and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

Europe's most exotic cathedral was modelled on Constantinople's Church of the Twelve Apostles. Home to the Pala d'Oro, one of the richest and most precious altar screens in the world. It is covered with more than 3000 precious stones and enamel ikons inlaid in gold. Inside the basilica, there are mosaics and treasures representing many of the stories of the Bible (my favorite was the Cupola of Genesis). The floors are decorated with Cosmati floor mosaics.

Started in the IX century, this church was restored for the first time in the year 1000 AD with magnificent domes built during the 12th century and has been subsequently adorned continuously. Its architecture shows an eastern and Byzantine influence, built like the churches in Istanbul and full of elements of Byzantine origin, such as the narthex, the golden altarpiece and the 13th and 14th centuries mosaics that illustrate stories of creation and the cycles of the Bible. The mosaics illustrating the life of San Marco are particularly spellbinding in their wealth of iconography and richness of materials. The Basilica houses the gallery and the Marciano museum which contains the original Bronze horses, copies of which are now on the terrace, and the golden altarpiece, a masterpiece of the gothic goldsmithery, displayed behind the altar.

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Phone: 041/5225697
Address: Piazza San Marco
Directions: Open:
Summer 9.30am-5.30pm daily
2pm-5.30pm holidays;
Winter 10am-4pm daily
2pm-6pm holidays

Take your picture in front of, Ponte dei Sospiri, or Bridge of Sighs.

It is an integral part of the Doges palace and forms the link between the courts and the prisons across the canal. The name "Bridge of Sighs" was invented in the 19th Century, when Lord Byron helped to popularize the belief that the bridge's name was inspired by the sighs of condemned prisoners as they were led through it to the executioner. (In reality, the days of inquisitions and summary executions were over by the time the bridge was built, and the cells under the palace roof were occupied mostly by small-time criminals.)

The Bridge of Sighs is included in the guided Itinerari Segreti ("Secret Itinerary") tour of the Doge's Palace, which you can book by appointment. This 90-minute tour is conducted in Italian; it also includes the prisons, torture chambers, and other rooms that normally aren't open to visitors. From June through September, tours are scheduled daily except Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and noon. Reserve at least a day in advance, since the number of visitors is limited.

TIP: In the off-season, you may be able to wander across the Bridge of Sighs and explore the prisons on your own during a self-guided visit to the Doge's Palace. Ask at the palace ticket window or have your hotel's concierge phone 52-24-951 for current details.

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Phone: 52-24-951
Address: Sestiere di San Marco
Directions: Just past the Doges Palace. When facing the 2 statues to the harbor, turn left.

This magnificent palace remains almost exactly as it was 400 years ago as the residence of most of Venice's Doges.

The Palace was a symbol of venetian power and glory and was both the residence of the doges and the seat of the government. Built in the 12th century in the place of an edifice dating from 825AD, it was completely transformed in the 14th -16th centuries. The facade is in white and pink marble, the courtyard is a splendid example of Renaissance style, richly adorned with sculptures, venetian arches and its decoration of pilasters and friezes of oculi and lions' heads.

Of particular interest inside are the doges' apartments, Scala d'Oro, the vestibule Atrio Quadrato, the Elegant Four Doors Room adorned with paintings by Tintoretto, the college hall and the three armouries.

The Palazzo Ducale is open seven days a week. The museum opens to the public at 09.00 AM; from Nov. 1 to Mar. 31 the palace closes at 5.00PM, otherwise at 7.00PM. Closed Christmas day and New Year's Day. Full ticket price is 16 Euros.

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Address: Piazza San Marco

The famous Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge) is a Venetian landmark. The bridge has 3 walkways and 2 rows of shops and is a great place to purchase tourist trinkets.

The current structure was built in just three years, between 1588 and 1591, as a permanent replacement for the boat bridge and three wooden bridges that had spanned the Grand Canal at various times since the 12th Century. It remained the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot until the Accademia Bridge was built in 1854. The architect, Antonio da Ponte ("Anthony of the Bridge," appropriately enough), competed against such eminent designers as Michelangelo and Palladio for the contract.

NOTE: The bridge consists primarily of steps, making it a challenge for tourists with strollers or wheelchairs.

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Address: San Polo
Directions: The bridge connects San Marco to San Polo

Take the lift to the top of the Campanile to see the viewpoint where Galileo demonstrated his telescope in 1609.

The present-day structure was built in 1912 as an exact replica of its predecessor, which collapsed unexpectly on the morning of July 14, 1902.

Although "campanile" means "bell tower," the Campanile di San Marco did double duty as a military watchtower when it was constructed in the 10th Century. Later, as the tower was expanded and refined, its bronze-sheathed roof caught the sun's rays and acted as a daytime beacon for mariners.

The Campanile's five bells were intended to communicate five different messages. The largest signaled the beginning and end of each work day; another rang the hour; a third called senators to the Doge's Palace; the fourth summoned magistrates; and the smallest--il Maleficio--was rung to announce executions of the prisoners who dangled in cages halfway up the tower's walls. The bells are still rung today, but only to maintain tradition and entertain the tourists.

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Phone: 39 0415224064
Address: Piazza San Marco
Directions: Open: 9.30am-4.30pm Mon-Sun. If you aren't athletic, don't worry--an elevator will whisk you to the viewing platform, providing your feet can stand waiting in line on busy summer days and holiday weekends

Take a trip to the island of Murano. The island has been the center of the Venetian glassmaking industry since 1291, when the furnaces and glass craftsmen were moved here from the city, prompted by the risk of fire to the buildings and the disagreeable effects of smoke.

Be sure to visit a furnace to see the art of glass making in person. Also, check out the Museo Vetrario (glass musuem) and the Santa Maria e San Donato (church).

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Address: Island just North of Venice
Directions: A short vaporetto ride (take #12) from the Fondamente Nuove . Get off on Murano at the stop marked "Museo" or "Faro"

Ride the vaporetto down Grande Canal at sunset!!!

The Canal Grande (Grand Canal) is about three and a half kilometres (two and a half miles) in length. It snakes through Venice with its great double backwards S curve giving the city's sestieri their shape. The most interesting stretch is between the Vallaresso vaporetto stop, near Piazza San Marco, in the south-east and the train station (Ferrovia) in the north-west. The trip takes about half an hour and is worth repeating at different times of day and night.

Strictly speaking, it is wrong to refer to all of Venetian passenger ferries as vaporetti - only the larger, slower, more rounded boat with more room for luggage and those much sought-after outside seats at the front are genuine vaporetto. The sleeker, smaller and faster boat with outside seats only at the back are motoscafo.

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Address: Grande Canal

Yes, Cannaregio is the home of the "Jewish Ghetto" in Venice. But it is much more. It is one of the few places in Venice where you can see Venetians living and working. Here you will find familys dining at restaurants, non-tourist shops and markets. It is a much less frenzied part of town.

For those wanting to check out the ghetto, Canareggio is home to five synagogues: the Canton Synagogue, the Italian Synagogue, the German Synagogue, the Levantine Synagogue and the Spanish Synagogue.

As for the history: The Venice Ghetto was the first to be set up in Europe and was founded in 1516. The Venetian Jews had to live inside the area bordered by the Ghetto Bridge, and could not leave the area from dusk until dawn. Guards were placed at the Ghetto boundaries to control the Jews’ movements and the Ghetto was closed at night with gates. The hinges of those gates can still be seen today. The word “ghetto” comes from the word “getto”, the noun coming from the Italian verb “gettare”. It refers to the foundary work that had been found in this area of town.

Other interesting sights in this area include Madonna dell’ Orto Church, Gesuiti Church, and Ca d’ Oro. Madonna dell’ Orto is known for its Tintoretto paintings as well as a statue of The Virgin Mary, which is said to have miraculous powers. Gesuiti, as it is referred to in Venice, is the first monastery of the Jesuits established in this region. Its facade is covered in green and white limestone. Ca’ d’ Oro, or Pallazzo Labia, faces the Grand Canale and is known for its spectacular façade which is adorned with gold leaf, vermillion, and ultramarine. Within you can find paintings and carvings by greats such as Titian, Bellini, and Lombardo.

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Address: Cannaregio
Directions: Cannaregio is in the Northern part of the island. To find the ghetto: From S. Lucia train station turn left. Continue along Lista Di Spagna (5 min.) until you reach the Cannaregio Canal. Cross the bridge, and turn left, and walk along the canal (o1 min).